The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) assured the public on Thursday that there is no imminent major eruption at Taal Volcano, even after the volcano experienced two minor phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions earlier in the day.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol confirmed that the two short-lived eruptions occurred at 12:58 p.m. and 1:04 p.m., each lasting approximately two minutes. The second event ejected incandescent ballistics—hot, glowing rocks—an estimated 300 meters above the lake.
“They [incandescent ballistics] did not reach any communities on the mainland, and this does not indicate an imminent major eruption,” Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He explained that while the eruptions had enough force to throw hot rocks, these rocks remained confined to the Main Crater area.
The minor eruptions generated plumes that reached a maximum height of 1,200 meters above the vent and drifted southwest. Bacolcol reiterated that small eruptions, even occurring multiple times a day, are considered normal behavior for Taal.
Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, meaning that while low-level unrest is present, an explosive eruption is not expected immediately.
Despite the low alert status, Phivolcs maintains a strict prohibition on entering the permanent danger zone, specifically Taal Volcano Island, as sudden eruptions can occur without warning.